Matrix transfer



May 23,1939. DI MOND 2,159,075

MATRIX TRANSFER Filed Oct. 8, 19:57 2 Sheqts-Sheet 1 IN VENT OR. Dar/d Blame/rd May 23, 1939. D. DIAMOND MATRIX TRANSFER Filed Oct. 8, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

BY Dar/401k W 7;! A ORNEY Patented May 23, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application October 8,

19 Claims.

The purpose of this invention is to provide improvements in the construction of Linotype or other similar machines for handling matrices between the transfer slide and distributor without using. the teeth of the matrices as the holding means.

Theinvention relates to improvements in the construction of parts of Linotype or other similar machines, and particularly the transfer channel second elevatonelevator transfer slide and space band lever pawl, in which the matrices I are separated from the space bars and raised vertically tothe second elevator, in that they are gripped and held by the side lugs at their upper ends, and, as the second elevator is moved upward, the matrices are gripped and held therein, and the space bars are returned by the return movement of the transfer slide as at present. This invention is an improvement over a similar 20 device as described in my copending application with the Serial Number 155,892, filed July 27, 1937, in that substantially all of the operating parts are located on the same side or back of the transfer channel, the matrices .are gripped on Q5 both sides instead of one, and also in that the respective movements of the operating parts have been simplified, and, at the same time, made absolutely positive.

In Linotype and other similar machines the 180 matrix, from whichthe type face'is formed, is

formed with a V shaped groove in the upper end, with notches in the edges thereof forming sorting teeth, and these teeth are used to support the matrix as it is elevated from the transfer channel by the second elevator to the'sorting mechanism, and in transferring the matrix from one part to another the sorting teeth are damaged, which results in the matrix being placed in the wrong position by the sorting mechanism, and the teeth are often damaged to such an extent that the matrix is discarded. The life of the matrix is, therefore, dependent upon the damageto the sorting teeth thereof. I

The object of this invention is, therefore, to eliminate the chance of damage to these teeth, particularly by the use of the teeth in conveying the matrix from one position to another, and

more specifically inv the use of the teeth in the 1937, Serial No. 168,036

the second elevator without using the sorting teeth.

Another object is to provide means for transferring the matrix and delivering it to the second elevator, in which the matrix may be raised without raising the space bar.

Another object is to provide holding means in the second elevator in a Linotype or similar machine for the matrix, which supports the matrix from theunder side of the lugs at the sides of the upper end thereof.

Another object is to provide means for supporting the matrix before it is delivered to the second elevator from the lower end thereof.

Another object is to provide means for operating a movable stop for engaging matrices in the transfer channel which moves with the line, and which is automatically returned to the starting position.

Another object is to provide a resiliently held bar in the transfer channel of Linotype machines for resiliently engaging the sides. of matrices and the like which readily holds the saidmatrices in a'fixed position.

Another object is to provide movable means for sliding in under the shoulders at the upper ends of matrices, and means operating said movable means, withdrawing the same to permit entrances of the matrices, and releasing the same to grip and hold the matrices after they are in place.

Another object is to provide means for transferring matrices from the transfer channel to the second elevator, in which the matrices may be fed to the intermediate channel at different elevations, thereby eliminating the means for lining up the matrices when two sets of dies thereon are used.

A further object is to provide means for deliveringthe matrix of a Linotype or other similar machine to the second elevator by a vertical movement.

And a still further object is to provide means for transferring and supporting the matrix of a Linotype or other machine to and in the second elevator without using the sorting teeth, which is of a simple and economical construction.

With these ends in View the invention embodies mechanism for supporting the matrix of a Linotype or other similar machine from the lower end, means for supporting the space bars, means for elevating the matrix without moving the space bar, means for gripping and holding the matrix by the second elevator without engaging the sorting teeth of the matrix, means for operating the said holding means, and means for raising one end of the space band lever pawl as the said pawl approaches the end of the second elevator.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a view showing a part of a front elevation of a Linotype or other machine showing the transfer channel, second-elevator, elevator transfer slide, and the elevator transfer slide link with attachments thereon for operating the various parts.

Figure 2 is a view showing a front elevation of the intermediate channel.

Figure 3 shows a cross section through the upper part of the transfer channel, with parts omitted showing the second elevator resting upon the upper surface of the transfer channel.

Figure 4 is a similar section showing the dogs for withdrawing the sliding plates that hold the matrices, and with the sections at each side taken at points adapted to show the dogs on the respective sides.

Figure 5 is a similar section showing the means for slidably attaching the sliding matrix holding plates to the lower edges of the second elevator.

Figure 6 is a plan View looking upward, showing' the under surface of the second elevator.

Figure '7 is a plan view looking downward upon the upper surface of the transfer channel.

Figure 8 is a view looking in the opposite direction to that shown in Figure 2, showing the back of the transfer channel.

Figure 9 is an end elevation showing the forward end of the transfer channel with the operating parts mounted thereon, and with the lower part broken away.

Figure 10 is a cross section through the upper portion of the rear wall of the transfer channel, showing the sliding stop and sliding elevator plate, both of which extend through the wall of the channel, v

Figure 11 is a detail showing a latch provided on the elevator transfer slide link for operating the dog that releases the. sliding plate on the rear of the second elevator.

Figure 12 is a plan view showing a sloping prong mounted on the forward end of the space band lever pawl.

Figure 13 is a side elevation of the pawl and prong shown in Figure 12.

A group of matrices representing a line of type, with the space bars between the words, are elevated and fed to the intermediate channel in the usual manner, and, as the elevator transfer slide link passes backward across the transfer channel, a projection, extending downward from the elevator transfer slide, releases the mechanism which raises the matrices upward in the transfer channel, and, as the link returns, it releases a sliding plate on the under side of the second elevator which, during this movement, moves downward upon the transfer channel so that the plate moves in under shoulders at the upper ends of the matrices, and, as the link continues to move, it presses the elevating means downward and moves a stop extending into the transfer channel backward to the starting position, the said stop having been moved outward from its position in the channel by the upward movement of the matrix elevating means, and then, as the second elevator moves upward, a sliding plate on the opposite side thereof is released, and this also moves in under shoulders on the opposite sides of the matrices, the space bars remaining in their normal positions, and being recovered or returned by the space band lever pawl in the usual manner.

These improvements are illustrated in the drawings, in which numeral I indicates the transfer channel, numeral 2, the second elevator, and numeral 3, the elevator transfer slide link by which the device is operated.

The transfer channel I is substantially the same as that used in present machines, except that the back plate 4 is changed, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, with means thereon for readily holding and elevating matrices, and the second elevator is provided with slidable plates on the lower edges for holding the matrices by the shoulders thereof.

The matrices are fed to the transfer channel from the first elevator in the usual manner and, as these are supported from their lower ends, as shown in Figure 9,v it is immaterial whether or not they are in one or two lines as, as soon as the matrices are elevated above the space bands, all of them will be in the same elevation.

The matrices arefed into the machine in the position shown in Figure 9, with their lower ends resting upon a plate 5 at one side and a ledge 6 at the other, and the space bars are supported in the usual manner, with the projections at their upper ends held in the groove I and upon the channel through a slot I0, and mounted upon a rod II through a slider I2. This slider moves along the rod II, with the stop 9 moving through the slot I0 until the entire line is in the transfer channel, and, at this time, the elevator transfer slide link 3 is moved across the transfer channel, and an arm I3 extending downward from the elevator transfer slide I4, which is connected to the link 3, engages a lug I5 on a suspended vertical bar I6 which releases the holding means of the plate 5, and the plate moves upward to the position indicated by the dotted lines I! in Figure 9, thereby elevating the' matrices to the position shownin Figure 3, in which the matrices are indicated by the numeral I8. The bar I6 is pivotally attached to a horizontal bar I9 which is connected to the plate 5 by pins and 2| extending through slots 22 and 23, and this horizontal bar is moved upward by springs 24 and 25 on pins 26 and 21 extending downward from the bar I9 and slidably held in bearings 28and 29. This horizontal bar also moves the bar II out-.- ward, and this motion withdraws the stop 9 with the part I2 in the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 9, and this movement is accomplished by prongs 30 and 3| having bevel surfaces which a slide in under the ends of the rod I I. The members 30 and 3| are fixedly attached to the ends of the bar I9 by screws 32 and 33, and the bar II is held inward by springs 34 and 35 which bear against the outer surface thereof. The bar is slidably mounted on pins 36 and 31 which extend through holes in the bar and into the plate 4. The slider I2 is returned to the position shown in Figure 8, which is the normal or starting position, by a shoulder 38 on the link 3 which engages, the slider while in the outward position, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 9, as shown. And, as the link 3 returns, the lower edge thereof slides over an extension 39 of the bar I9, moving the bar downward from the position-ishown' in dotted lines in Figure 8 to that shown .in full lines, :andthe bar :is held downward my a seat *49 which snaps rover a pin 4| extending outward Lirom the plate *4, and it will be noted that, asthearm l3 engages the member lbgit moves theseat 4. away from the pin 4|, as indicated' by the dotted lines. The bar 16 is resiliently held against the pin 41 by a spring 42 on -a rod '13 :"neld in a bearing 4'4, with the barl i' s'lidable' 'in a groove 45 in the head 46 of thep'in; I

h fter the matrices have been moved upward by the-foregoing mechanism which raises the plate 5, alatch, formed by a plate mountedon the linkk'ly-engages a projection 48 extending outward from'the end-"of a lever 49, resiliently held downward by aspringifi, and raises this end ofthe lever,'-causingthe--dog 5| on the opposite end to move downward releasing a shutter '52 which is moved in under the shouldersat the upper ends of the matrices by springs 53 and 54 on thesides of the second elevator 2. The lever 49 is -pivotally mounted on a pin 55 on the 'sideof the upper edge'o'f the back plate 4 of the transfer channel, and the dog-5i isslidably held over a pin '56 through a slot 51. The-shutter 52 is slidably mounted on the under side of the back of .the second elevator 2' by screws 58 and 59 in slots '60 and 61, with the heads of the screws in slots '6'2'and- 63 extending transversely of the shutter as sh'own in Figures 5 and 6. As the second elevator'moves downward upon the upper surface of the transfer channel to the position shown in Figure 2, an 'eye '64 at the side of the shutter 52 slides over the dog 51, and the sloping surface of the dog draws the shutter outward against the springs 53 and 54 to the position shown "in Figures 8 and 4, and it will be noted that, assoon as the member 41 raises the member-48 "and lowers the dog 5!, the shutter 52 is free to move inward under the shoulders of the matrices, therebyholding the matrices in the second elevator. The second elevator is also provided' with an additional shutter 65 on the opposite side, which is also slidably mounted upon screws 66' and -(il in slots 68 and 69, and this shutter is'a'lso 'providedwith eyes HI and 1| which slide over the bevel surfaces of dogs '12 and I3 rigidly mounted upon the 'upper edge of the side PM of the transfer channel 2, and this shutter is resiliently held-inward by springs 75 and 16 similar to the springs 53 and 54. This shutter is, therefore, moved outward by the dogs 12 and 13 as the second elevator moves into position upon the upper surface of the transfer channel, and thisshutter remains outward until the second elevator starts to move upward, and at this time the shutter 65 moves off of the dogs T2 and i3 andslides inward with the inner edge under the shoulders of the matrices at this side.

The transfer'channel 'l is provided with aguide H which extends upward and fits into a recess 18 in the second elevator, thereby-guiding the second :elevator intoposition, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The second elevator '2 is mounted noted that, as it moves in one direction, the end 86 will slide over the bevel surface 81 of the member 48, whereas, as it moves in the opposite direction, the bevel surface 88 of the member 4'! will ride under the member 48 and raise the end of the lever 49 to lower the dog 5!.

In Figures 12 and 13, a device is illustrated which is not directly connected to the transfer channel, however, by forming the second elevator in this manner, it has been found necessary to place a prong 89 on the space band lever pawl 90 so that, as the pawl moves forward, the member 89 will engage a bevel surface 9| at the end of the second elevator and permit the pawl to raise upward as the pawl approaches the second elevator, as shown in Figure 2. This device may, however, be formed in any manner, and any means may be used for guiding the pawl into such a position that it will not strike the end of the second elevator but will ride upward as it moves toward the end thereof.

-'These partsas shown and described, are in corporated in a Linotype or other similar machine without changing any of the other remaining parts, however, the teeth on the tri angular shaped bar in the distributor box may also be eliminated, so that the teeth of the matrices may not be used until the matrices are placed upon the distributor bar in the distributing mechanism. This device, therefore, makes it possible to transfer the matrices from the first elevator to the distributor bar without engaging teeth in the triangular'shaped openings therein at any point in-this operation.

It will be understood that changes may be made in the construction without departing from the spirit of the invention. One of which changes may be in the use of other means for raising or elevating the matrices in the transfer channel, another may be in the use of other means for gripping the matrices in the second elevator; another may be in the use of other means for transferring the matrices with or without the space bars into and out of the said transfer channel, and still another may be in the -use of other means for operating the respective parts.

The construction will be readily understood from the foregoing description. In use the device may be provided as shown and described, and the parts may be installed in a machine as used for Linotype or other similar machines, and the matrices will beelevated upward away from the space bars and gripped and held in the second elevator as shown and described, and, after they have moved upward, the space bars will be recovered or moved backward to their normal positions by the space band lever pawl in the usual manner.

1 In providing this means for transferring the matrices from the transfer channel to the second elevator,-it will be noted that the matrices are positively held in all positions and every move- :ment is absolutely assured. The matrices normally rest upon the members 5 and 6 in the transferchannel 'I, and, in order to insure their being-absolutely held, the front side 14 of the transfer channel may be provided with a resilupward. The plate 92" ispositioned directly above the ledge 6, and it will be understood that the end of the plate will be curved backward similar to the surfaces at the end of the transfer channel as shown in Figure 7, the edge of the plate corresponding with the surface 95 which is also slightly curved to facilitate the transfer of the matrices into the said transfer channel.

As hereinbefore stated, this particular cone struction makes it possible to eliminate the auxiliary step in which matrices for two different styles of type are transferred into the transfer channel, as the construction of the channel makes it possible to receive matrices at different elevations, and, as soon as they are moved upward, all of the matrices are aligned with the shoulders at their upper ends gripped by the shutters of the second elevator. The second elevator then transfers the matrices to the distributor box where they are held and distributed in the usual manner.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A second elevator for Linotype and other similar machines having an inverted channel shaped head, with shutters at the lower edges of the sides for holding matrices by shoulders at the upper ends of the sides.

2. A device as described in claim 1, in which the holding means comprises horizontally slidable plates resiliently held inward and adapted to move outward by engaging bevel surfaces upon a device upon which the said elevator is positioned, and means resiliently holding said plates inward.

3. In combination with a device as described in claim 1, means releasing one of said plates before the elevator is moved upward, and means releasing the other of said plates as the said elevator starts upward.

4. In type making machines of the Linotype type having a transfer channel, a distributor box, a second elevator for transferring matrices from the intermediate channel through the distributor box and an elevator transfer slide link for recovering space bands from the intermediate channel; means in said transfer channel for supporting and elevating matrices from the lower ends thereof, and means in said second elevator for supporting matrices by the shoulders at the outer sides of the upper ends.

5. A device as described in claim 4 having a slidable plate in said intermediate channel, a latch holding said plate downward, and means releasing said latch and plate by the elevator transfer slide link.

6. A device as described in claim 4 having a stop slidably mounted on said transfer channel and means on the elevator transfer slide link for returning said stop after the matrices have been removed from the channel.

7. A device as described in claim 4, characterized by slidable plates on the under side of the second elevator providing the matrix holding means thereof, and projections having bevel surfaces adapted to move said slidable plat-es outward providing receiving space for the matrices as the second elevator rests upon the upper surface of the transfer channel.

8. A device as described in claim 4, characterized by slidable plates on the under side of the second elevator providing the matrix holding means thereof, and projections having bevel surfaces adapted to move said slidable plates outward providing receiving space for the matrices as the secondelevator rests upon the upper surface of the transfer channel,- and means releasing one of said side plates by the elevator transfer slide link after matrices are in position with their upper ends in the second elevator.

9. A device as described in claim 4 having a slidable plate on the inner surface of the intermediate channel, resilient means urging said plate upward to elevate matrices in the transfer channel to gripping positions in the second elevator, a latch holding said slidable plate downward, and a projection on the elevator transfer slide link for engaging and releasing said latch.

10. A device as described in claim 4 having a slidable plate onthe inner surface of the intermediate channel, resilient means urging said plate upward to elevate matrices in the transfer channel to gripping positions in the second elevator, a latch holding said slidable plate downward, and a projection on the elevator transfer slide link for engaging and releasing said latch, and further characterized by gripping means in the said second elevator adapted to be opened as the, second elevator is positioned upon the transfer channel, and said gripping means on one side of the second elevator adapted to be released to permit it to be moved inward by the said elevator transfer slide link.

11. In combination with a Linotype or similar machine having a transfer channel, a transfer slide and a second elevator, means transferring a 'matrix from the transfer channel to the second elevator and supporting it therein without a grooved bar and without engaging the sorting teeth of the matrix, said transferring means comprising rails positioned in the second elevator upon which the lower ends of the matrices may rest, means resiliently moving one of said rails upward to raise the matrices, and means moving said movable rail downward by a moving part of the machine.

12. A device, as described in claim 11, characterized in that the matrix is delivered to the second elevator with a vertical movement of the matrix.

13. The process of delivering a matrix to the second elevator of a Linotype or other machine with a vertical movement of the matrix, and characterized in that the said vertical movement constitutes the transfer or delivery of said matrix from the transfer channel to the second elevator of the machine.

14. A second elevator for Linotype or other machines having a sliding plate at one side adapted to move under a projection at the side of a matrix positioned therein for supporting said matrix.

15. In a Linotype or other machine having a transfer channel, a transfer slide and a second elevator, means supporting matrices in said transfer channel by the lower ends thereof, means raising the said supporting means to elevate the matrices, means on said supporting means adapted to be engaged by a part of the transfer slide for moving said supporting means downward as the slide moves across the machine, and means releasing said movable supporting means as the said transfer slide moves backward.

16. A device, as described in claim 15, having a follower positioned in the path of matrices moved into said transfer channel adapted to hold a line of matrices together, means moving said follower out of the path of the matrices as the said movable supporting means is moved down- 17. In combination with a device as described in claim 15, means on the second elevator for supporting the matrices therein by passing inward under the shoulders of the matrices as the second elevator startsupward.

18. In combination with a device as described in claim 15, means on the second elevator for supporting the matrices therein by passing inward under the shoulders of the matrices as the second elevator starts upward, said transfer channel having means opening said holding ward, and means returning said follower to the original position.

means as the second elevator arrives in position upon the upper end of said transfer channel.

19. In Lino ype or similar machines having a transfer channel and a second elevator, means supporting matrices in the said transfer channel, and means moving the said supporting means vertically upward, moving the upper ends of the said matrices into the said second elevator.

DAVID DIAMOND. 

